White Sox sign free-agent pitcher Derek Holland

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Derek Holland will take the spot vacated by Chris Sale in the White Sox rotation.

The left-hander signed a one-year deal worth $6 million with the White Sox on Wednesday. Holland went 7-9 with a 4.95 ERA in 22 games (20 starts) for the Texas Rangers last season. To make room for Holland on the 40-man roster the White Sox designated pitcher Matt Purke for assignment.

Holland’s signing became a necessity after the White Sox traded Sale to Boston last week. The club also traded Adam Eaton last week and has entertained offers for Jose Quintana this offseason as it undergoes its first rebuild since 1997.

“Derek gives a veteran, left-handed presence for our starting rotation with a proven track record of pitching well in big games," White Sox senior vice president/general manager Rick Hahn said. “This move provides us with additional depth and flexibility in the rotation.”

Holland, who has dealt with knee and shoulder injuries the past three seasons, averaged 195 innings per year from 2011-13, a span in which he went 38-21 with a 3.98 ERA for the Rangers.

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Were the White Sox to trade both Sale and Quintana they would need to replace a duo that has averaged 393 innings per season since 2012, including 434 2/3 innings in 2016.

The White Sox acquired several young arms in the deals for Sale and Eaton. Even though Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez reached the big leagues last season, general manager Rick Hahn said the White Sox want to be patient with their young pitchers, a group that also includes Michael Kopech, among others.

MLB.com’s Scott Merkin was the first to report the sides were close. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported the terms of the deal.

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